I know this isn't what you want to hear, but the best option is definitely to use your network. As both a freelancer in the past and someone who hires them now,

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but the best option is definitely to use your network. As both a freelancer in the past and someone who hires them now, I've had very few successes outside of referrals. Network doesn't mean friends, necessarily! I built most of my network by building cool random things and mentioning I was looking for freelancing. (That being said, you have a lot of eyes on this post now, so you should comment a way to contact you!)